On Monday, Sikh groups and radical outfits blocked highways across the state, demanding action against those responsible for desecrating the holy book.

Protesters have threatened to continue the blockade till October 25 for three hours every day.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the Chief Minister yesterday and “assured him all possible help” from the Centre to defuse the tension prevailing in the state.

The Home Minister later briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation in Punjab.

“Certain forces are behind all this… some agencies are responsible for what is happening… they want to disturb the peace in the state… we should be vigilant against their designs,” Chief Minister Badal said.

The BJP, which co-governs the state with Mr Badal’s Shiromani Akali Dal, will also hold an urgent “core group meet” of the party today to take stock of the situation in the state, a party spokesperson said.

“BJP has already conveyed to the Chief Minister to take strongest action against the culprits,” State BJP chief Kamal Sharma said, adding that the society needs to stay united in this hour of crisis.

Punjab is witnessing unrest in different parts of the state over desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. Two persons lost their lives in police action.

The Opposition claims that law and order in the state has completely collapsed and has demanded the immediate imposition of President’s Rule in the state.

“We will raise the issue in the Parliament about the law and order situation in Punjab… we also demand imposition of President’s Rule,” said AAP leader Bhagwant Mann.